Frame for multicompartment hand bags



F. J, QUIGAN A FRAMEFOR MULTICOMPARTMENT' HAND BAGS Filed Nov. 6. 1930 2y', 3. mgl Qui INVENTOR gl X24/M /CM ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 27, 1934 FRAME Fon` MULTICOMPARTMENT HAND BAGS Y' FrankJQQuigan, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assigner to FrankJ. Quigan Company, Inc., a corpora- Applieatio Novembee-ieso, serial No. 493,746

This invention relates to an improved frame for multi-compartment.--handbags and has for its primary object and vpurpose to provide sim- A ple, easily operatedffard" effective means for se- '1 curely latching-ithe several hingedly connected frame members`"' in-closed position.

MoreY particularly, the invention essentially comprehendsthe provision of outer and intermediate frame members togetherwith keeper means l0? mounted on one of the intermediate frame members and a latching element carried by each of the other frame members for releasable engagement with said keeper means.

It is a further general object of the invention v to provide a frame for multi-compartment handbags, and latching means for the several frame members, which may be produced in various ornamentally attractive forms, and in which the several parts are so constructed and assembled that such improved frames may be 'produced at comparatively low manufacturing cost.-

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved frame for multi-'compartment handbags, and in the form of construction and relative arrangement of its several parts as hereinafter more particularly described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.`

In the drawing, wherein I have illustrated several simple and practical embodiments of my present invention and in which similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a handbag provided with my improved frame and latching means therefor;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan and View; Figure 3 is an enlarged detail transverse sec- `tion taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the several frame members in separated or partially opened position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary-end elevation illustratng the hinge connection between the several frame members;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view, similar to Figure 4, showing a slightly modified form of the device; and

Figure 7 is an end elevation, similar to Figure 5, of the modified construction.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 and 6 respectively indicate two outer frame members. Each of these members is formed from a continuous sheet metal strip which is preferably bent into the inverted channel shaped form illustrated in the drawing, to provide a continuous Youtwardly opening channel. Intermediate of its ends, at spaced points, this channel frame member is bent into the desired shape, as shown in the drawing, to provide end legs connected by an intermediate top portion.

As shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, between the two outer frame members 5 and 6, an intermediate frame member 7 is arranged, the latter frame member being of the usual form having its channel opening inwardly throughout the length of said frame member. These several frame members at their corresponding ends are hingedly connected with each other by any approved means,ras indicated at 8 for relative pivotal movement.

The upper side and top edges of the outer body Walls 9 of the handbag extend over the outersides or flanges of the two frame members 5 and 6 and are engaged in the channels thereof and are securely'held or fixed therein by clinching the side flanges of the frame members upon the bag material. The channel of the intermediate frame member 7 receives the upper and side edges of the flexible partition wall indicated at 10 which are secured within the channel by clinching the side flanges of said frame member upon the material. The partition wall 10, in conjunction with the outer side or body walls 9 of the handbag thus provides two separate compartments within the handbag.

For the purpose of releasably latching the several bag frame members in opposedface to face contact to securely close the bag compartments, I provide upon the top portion of the intermediate frame member 7 a keeper plate shown at 11 which may be of any desired ornamental form. This keeper plate at its lower edge is securely fixed in any approved manner to the intermediate channel wall of the frame member 7 which closes the topof the channel, and is provided with spaced openings' 12 extending therethrough.

To the inner wall or iiange of each of the outer frame `members 5 and 6 and withinthe channel thereof, an upwardly projecting Ylug 13is welded or otherwise securely fixed, and upon the upper` end of this lug and projecting inwardly therefrom, the substantially spherical latching element 1,4 is riveted or otherwise permanently secured. These latching elements carried by theV outer frame members 5 and 6 are respectively positioned in line with the spaced openings 12K ttf los"

in the keeper plate 11 but in eccentric relation thereto.

In the operation of the device, as the outer and intermediate bag frame members are brought into closed face to face Contact with each other, the balls or spheres 14 frictionally engage and ride over the lower edges of the respective openings 12 in the keeper plate 11. Owing to the resiliency of the inner anges of the outer frame members 5 and 6, this displacement of the latching balls from their normal relation to said frame members will be yieldingly resisted so that when the outer frame members come into contact with.

opposite sides of the intermediate frame member 7 the inner flanges of said outerirame inembers will resume their normal' condition and securely hold the latching elements 14 in the position illustrated in Figure 3 ofthe drawing wherein the reduced neck portion connecting the latching element with the lug 13 is positioned in the opening 12, and said latching element adjacent the reduced neck portion is yieldably held in contact upon the lower edge of said opening. Thus, in order to release either of the outer frame members so as to obtain access to either of the bag compartments, it is necessary to apply rconsiderable force or pressure against the ball or latching element 14 in order to displace the same upwardly for passage through the opening 12.

In Figure 6 of the drawing I illustrate a slightly modied form of a device wherein two intermediate frame members 7 and 7 respectively are provided, in addition to the outer side frame members, to receive the partition walls 10 and 10 respectively, and thus provide a handbag havingV three separate compartments. In this instance likewise, the single keeper plate 11 projects upwardly yfrom the top wall of the frame member 7, but as shown is provided with the three spaced openings 12 therethrough. One oi the outer frame members 5 is provided with the latching element 14 mounted thereon in the manner above described for engagement through one of the end openings 12' in the keeper plate. The intermediate frame member 7 carries a similar latching element 15 for engagement through the central opening 12 of the keeper plate. This latching element is carried by a lug similar to the lug 13 but resiliently yieldable relative to the wall of the frame member 7.

The other outer frame member 6 is provided with a latching element 14 for engagement through the other end opening 12 in the keeper plate. This latter latching element 14' is carried by the lug 13 having an angularly offset part 13a, which extends inwardly from the inner wall of the frame member 6. Thus when the several frame members are moved into closed position in face to face contact this offset part 13a of the lug extends over the top of the intermediate frame member 7 so that the latching element or ball 14" will properly engage through the opening 12 of the keeper plate and be disposed in the same position longitudinally oi the bag frame as to other latching elements 14' and 15;

In this modified form of my invention, the frame members 5 and 6, and 6 and 7 respectively may be hingedly connected in pairs, and at 8', with the bridge plate 16 illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawing. It will of course be obvious that my present invention might also be applied to multi-compartment handbags having a greater number of the hingedly connected intermediate A members to provide additional individual compartments.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, the novel constructions, manner of use, and several advantages of my present invention will be clearly understood. It will be seen that I have devised a frame for multi-compartment handbags and the latching means therefor in which the several bag frame members may be securely latched and held in closed position by means of a single keeper plate mounted on one of said frame members. Thus the number of projecting parts is reduced to a minimum and bag frames of this type may therefore be manufactured in various attractive and ornamental forms at comparatively small cost. While in the drawing, I have indicated a preferable. form ofV the latching member 14, it will be understood that in this respect, and also as to the size, shape and form of the keeper plate, various modiiications are possible.

Accordingly, in practice I reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes inthe essential features of my present invention as herein disclosed, as may be fairly incorporated within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claimt 1. A frame formulti-compartment handbags comprising outer and intermediate frame members, said outer frame members each having a continuous outwardly opening channel to receive the edges of one of the outer side walls of the handbag and an intermediate frame member having a continuousinwardly opening chan-r nel to receive the edge of a partition wall of the handbag, a latch means for said framemembers including a keeper plate xedto the topof the intermediate frame member and projectingupwardly therefrom, said plate having spaced openings therethrough, and an inwardly projecting latching element mounted upon the inner channel wall of each of the outer Vframe members in eccentric relation to one of the openings in the keeper plate, whereby when said frame' members are brought into face to face contact with each other, each latching element frictionally rides over the edge of one of said openings in the keeper plate and is resiliently urged to latching position in respect to said plate by the wall of the outer frame member.

2. A frame for multi-compartment handbags comprising two outer frame members and a plurality of intermediate frame members and means hingedly connecting the several frame members to each other at their corresponding ends, said outer frame members each having a continuous upwardly and outwardly opening channel to receive the edges of vone of the outer side walls of the handbag, and said intermediate frame members each having a continuousinwardly opening channel to receive the edges of a partition wall separating the interior of the bag into separate compartments, means for latching the several frame members in closed position including a keeper plate projecting upwardly from one of the intermediate frame members and provided with a plurality of spaced openings therethrough, upwardly projecting lugs Xed to the inner channel walls of the outer frame members, one of said lugs having an inwardly extending offset part to project over the top of the adjacent intermediate frame member, a lug projecting upwardly iromfsaid intermediate frame member, latching elements xed to the upper ends of the respective lugs and in eccentricv relation to the respective openingsy in the keeper plate,

whereby when the outer and intermediate frame members arebrought to closed position in face to face contact said latching elements are yieldably and friotionally engaged with the .lower edges of the respective openings in the keeper plate to releasably retain the several frame members in closed position.

3. A hand bag providing an outwardly open frame member and an inwardly open frame member hinged to come into atwise juxtaposed engagement with each other.

4. A hang bag providing a pair of outwardly open frame members, and an intermediate inwardly open frame member related with respect to the first said frame members to be engaged atwise thereby in juxtaposition thereto when the frame members are in closed position.

.frame member flatwise on opposite sides thereof.

FRANK J. QUIGAN.

, ,not 

